BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Podcast
Immediate Media
Listen to gardening inspiration from some of the UK’s most loved and well-respected gardening experts in the award-winning BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine podcast. Enjoy growing advice throughout the year with our Conversations series. Join Monty Don, Frances Tophill, Adam Frost, Arit Anderson, Carol Klein and more for friendly gardening chat and informative discussion with the magazine team, perfect for everyone who enjoys gardening. Hear Alan Titchmarsh solve your gardening problems in Ask Alan, find advice for what to do in the garden in our What To Do Now series, and travel the globe with the BBC Gardeners’ World magazine team in Travel Tales: Gardens of the World.With new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday and bonus episodes every Saturday, subscribe now, wherever you get your podcasts, and never miss an episode. Find out more at GardenersWorld.com/podcast
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 29, 2024 • 33min
Dangerous Plants - The Dangers that Lurk in our Flowerbeds
Psychoactive plants have hallucinogenic properties. They have been used by mankind for thousands of years and still play important roles in culture and religion today. In this episode of Dangerous Plants, Frances Tophill talks to Tom Pattinson from the Alnwick Poison Garden to discover some of the common toxic, intoxicating and narcotic plants that may lurk in our flowerbeds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 26, 2024 • 9min
Travel Tales - Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
Gardens by the Bay is more than just a garden. It's a futuristic, innovative space where technology and nature seamlessly blend together, creating an awe inspiring experience for visitors. One of the highlights is the changing floral displays in the flower field. Each season brings a new theme, from tulip mania to daily dreams, it's always exciting to see what's next. Gardens by the Bay isn't just about the iconic domes though, the outdoor gardens are just as amazing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 23, 2024 • 39min
Dangerous Plants - Agatha Christie's Poisonous Plants
Deadly potions, poison, murder and intrigue – dangerous plants were used in many of Agatha Christie’s novels. In this episode of Dangerous Plants, Frances Tophill discusses the plants that Christie exploited to great effect in her fictitious murder mysteries and why poisoning is a more feminine method of committing a crime with Ali Marshall, Head Gardener at Torre Abbey and the Potent Plants Garden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 22, 2024 • 42min
Dangerous Plants - How to Forage and not Die
Toxic plants, deadly fungi and mistaken identity in the hedgerows can all lead to unpleasant consequences. In this episode of Dangerous Plants, horticulturist Frances Tophill talks to UK forager James Wood to discuss how to enjoy nature’s bounty throughout the year, tips for how to clarify what is edible and what’s not and encourage us to forage wilder and deeper, safely. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 18, 2024 • 8min
Travel Tales - Gordon Castle Walled Garden, Scotland
Tucked away in the heart of the Scottish Highlands is a gardening masterpiece: the Gordon Castle Walled Garden. This eight-acre walled garden is one of the largest in Britain and a stunning example of modern horticulture blended with historic charm. The garden is divided into various sections, each with its own unique character. Be captivated by this stunning walled garden— evoking images of secret, enchanting spaces filled with vibrant blooms and rich history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 16, 2024 • 58min
Dangerous Plants - The Cost of Cotton: Slavery’s Legacy and its Environmental Fallout
How has cotton, a soft staple fibre, been dangerous for centuries - and continues to be so? Threatening human life, natural resources and biodiversity, the cotton plant has wreaked havoc over the years in the slave trade, farming and industry. Joining Frances are Dr Cassandra Gooptar, Lecturer in Legacies of Slavery at the University of Hull, and Environmental Sustainability expert Inemesit Ukpanah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 14, 2024 • 48min
Dangerous Plants - The Dark Side of Plant Hunting
In this lively chat, horticulturalist Tom Hart Dyke shares his thrilling adventures as a modern-day plant hunter. He delves into the dangers of exploring hostile environments while searching for rare flora and recounts his harrowing ten-month captivity by guerrillas in pursuit of orchids. Tom reflects on the ethical dilemmas faced by plant hunters and the impact of their discoveries on gardens today. His passion for unique species shines through, revealing the delicate balance between exploration and conservation in the world of botany.
Oct 11, 2024 • 8min
Travel Tales - Alhambra Palace and Garden, Spain
The Alhambra is a magnificent fortress-palace complex perched on a hilltop, celebrated for itsawe-inspiring architecture and exquisite gardens. If you’re a garden enthusiast or someone who appreciates natural beauty, the Alhambra is a must-see. Originally a fortress before becoming a royal palace, the gardens are prime examples of Islamic design, characterized by intricate water features, lush greenery, and serene courtyards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 9, 2024 • 43min
Dangerous Plants - Plants that Kill and Cure
Dr. Sarah Edwards, Plant Records Officer at the University of Oxford Botanic Garden and an ethnobotanist, dives into the fascinating world of dangerous plants. She reveals how species like cannabis and yew wield both healing powers and risks. The discussion explores the vital role of traditional knowledge in modern medicine, highlighting the Madagascar periwinkle's contributions to diabetes and cancer treatments. Additionally, she addresses ethical concerns over the exploitation of indigenous plant knowledge and the need for sustainable interactions with nature.
Oct 7, 2024 • 45min
Dangerous Plants - Plants that Solve Crimes
How can plants be used to identify and interpret evidence to help solve crimes and what techniques can be used to do so? Discover how important forensic botany is in criminal cases and if there are plants that can ‘hold’ more evidence than others with Forensic Botanist Mark Spencer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
